The cloud breaks for a bit with "Brazil" as light, bubbling, echoing synths give a greater nod towards melodic force, before shifting back to the prog sounds of "Alone With You." The changes are indicative of the album as a whole. Things move gradually but gracefully from one section to the next. In one sense, that's to be expected of something mixed well, but at the same time it's a testament to Deadmau5's careful restraint in the process. Nothing is done to be showy. In fact, his style is anything but. The tracks seem always to be two steps away from something predictable in the hands of anyone else. But he brings enough flavor and cohesiveness to the whole thing that it becomes something more engaging and organic. The mix lives.
To prove this point, he introduces a living, breathing element to "I Remember", the lone vocal track in the set. It's a light mid-tempo cut that wouldn't be out of place in a Gabriel & Dresden set, and is an excellent break in the journey. This gracefully moves into "Faxing Berlin", which is already his signature track, both in popularity and style. From there things start to wind up a bit by revisiting some prog-house in "Not Exactly", a bit of full-on trance in "Arguru" and then closes out with the very tasteful "And There I Was."
So in spite of some misguided initial concerns, I can't help but get sucked in to this record. It's a compelling and well-crafted debut release that gets better each time I hear it. The blend of styles is well measured and thoughtfully paced, showing diversity when it's appropriate and also restraint when it's needed. I can only hope that he never quite finds a genre he's comfortable with, and as long as that happens, I for one gladly welcome our new rodent overlord.
Article comments
1 - Pablo (Delcraft)
the theme Gost'n stuff have a clear influence of Daft Punk theme, but kicks a great number of themes.